25 Pounds Of Marijuana, Xanax, $60K Seized In Belleville: Police

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Police seized more than 25 pounds of marijuana, dozens of Xanax pills and $60,000 in cash during a surveillance operation in Belleville on Thursday, authorities said.

Essex County sheriff’s detectives and police officers from Belleville and Bloomfield participated in the bust, which resulted in two arrests, including the “target of the operation,” John Krug, 40, of Belleville.

Police conducted their surveillance of 50 Newark Place in response to “numerous neighborhood complaints of drug trafficking in the area,” the Essex County Sheriff’s Office stated.

During the operation, officers allegedly saw James Benedetto, 48 of Harrison, pull up to the scene in a Honda SUV. Benedetto – who was carrying a book bag – got out of the car and approached the home. Krug opened the door and let him into the house, authorities said.

A few hours later, Benedetto exited the residence, this time with a full book bag, police said.

Benedetto got into his car and drove away from the scene. Police pulled him over a few blocks away, finding 224 grams of marijuana inside the bag, authorities said.

After arresting Benedetto, police proceeded to execute a search warrant for Krug’s apartment. There, they found “$91,000 worth of marijuana” (in leaf and liquid form), 87 Xanax tablets, a “variety of drug processing and packaging materials” and $60,618 in cash.

Authorities charged Krug with two counts each of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS with intent to distribute and possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of Belleville High School. He was also charged with possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

Authorities charged Benedetto with possession of CDS and possession of CDS with intent to distribute.

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